VPN Plus+ ExclusivePaper versus paperless: What is best for your practice?October 6, 2020I've taken my pets to see a veterinarian more times than I can count. When I check in at the front desk, I usually can't help but notice if the practice has rows of manila file folders lined up neatly on shelves. Bright color-coded tabs representing an alphabetic order of patient names protrude slightly from the long shelves and cabinets. I often wonder why that practice has decided to stick with paper files rather than switching to a paperless system. The answer is typically based on several factors. Going paperless in a digital world We do nearly everything online now—appointments, reservations, banking, and, as of 2020, we even work and learn online. Does that mean the end of paper, folders, and color-coded files? For some, yes. For others, no. And for many, it's somewhere in between. Today, practices generally fall within three categories as they relate to paperless systems: 100 percent paperless practices Some practices have already made the switch and conduct every task, update every record, and communicate with every client in some digital capacity. They are not only using software for their medical records, but are also using digital images, online inventory, vendor management systems, …
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How purposeful clinic design can help make COVID a thing of the pastOctober 5, 2020As many states and counties start to reopen, it has become critical for all businesses, including animal care facilities, to take proper precautions to help prevent COVID from spreading.
Penn. clinic named AAHA-Accredited Practice of the YearOctober 2, 2020Dedication, hard work, and a commitment to positive workplace culture are among the top qualities the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) values in its accredited practices.
Top 10 ways to drive your nurses crazyOctober 2, 2020Here are 10 ways you can infuriate, aggravate, and frustrate your nurses. After all, how else are you to uncover the toughest, most resilient technicians* with the thickest skin?
Overbooked? How to fix your scheduleOctober 2, 2020A two-doctor practice typically sees 300 patients per month for preventive checkups. With a backlog of three months, you face up to 900 overdue patients.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveHow to service a mixed-demographic clienteleOctober 1, 2020 It should go without saying, not all veterinary practices are alike. Not all regions of the country are alike. Not all communities are homogeneous. Not all clients have unlimited resources to devote to the care of their pets. Yet, over the years, we have found ourselves frequently confronted with opinion pieces, written by practice management "experts" whose advice may be distilled down to one catchy phrase: "Charge what you're worth." Those of us who have been doing this for a while know things aren't always quite that simple. My practice of 27 years was a good example. We were located equidistant from million-dollar homes and Section-8 housing. The former group of clients appreciated the fact we kept our pricing under control, the latter group absolutely required it, and we serviced every demographic group in between. The real cost of treatment A litany of very good reasons is always advanced for raising prices, including the rising debt-to-income ratios of our newer veterinarians, the need to attract skilled support staff into our clinics, and the overall rising cost of doing business, which always seems to exceed the rate of inflation. None of this is disputed; nevertheless, …
Mindful breathing: 10 minutes a day can lead to better healthSeptember 30, 2020Who knew the simple act of sitting quietly, focusing on breathing through the nose and out the mouth, and oxygenating the body could make such a world of difference?
Simplified retirement plan alleviates burden of paperworkSeptember 30, 2020Veterinary professionals who have yet to arrange retirement or succession plans might appreciate the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA’s) latest offering.
"Postvention" can be central in suicide preventionSeptember 29, 2020Saving the lives of animal health professionals and reducing instances of veterinary suicide is central to a new complimentary industry resource.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveFood is love—So why is nutrition a problem area for veterinarians?September 29, 2020By Brennen McKenzie, MA, MSc, VMD, cVMAAs a child, I was a big fan of the Peanuts cartoons. One of my favorite characters was Snoopy, a suave, bipedal beagle who wrote novels and engaged in breathtaking aerial combat with his nemesis, the Red Baron. Though Snoopy was unlike most other beagles I have known, he had one characteristic in common to others of his breed, and indeed most dogs. When suppertime arrived, all other activities were forgotten, and he often launched into an exuberant, joyful, food-induced dance. Every feeding was a celebration for Snoopy, not only of food but of the bond between dog and owner. Few subjects generate the same intensity of emotion in pet owners as the question of what to feed our animal companions. Feeding our pets is the quintessential act of caring and love. And based on how most dogs and cats act at feeding time, it certainly seems like a highlight of the relationship for them. There is also a deep sense in most pet owners that choosing a pet food has tremendous significance for the health and well-being of their pets. Everyone wants to give their pets the "best" food that will keep them active and happy and prevent illness …
